The Government of Peru is implementing an economic package worth S/1.230 billion (about US$320.9 million) to promote decentralized job creation with public investment and speed up the vaccination against COVID-19,
Economy and Finance Minister Waldo Mendoza has reported.
The economy resumed positive growth in March, and the recovery path is likely to continue in the coming months, as a result of the economic measures taken last year —which were strengthened this year—
the relaxation of restrictions on economic activities, and the positive statistical effect.
To consolidate this trend, the Executive Branch will implement a set of measures covering four dimensions:
I. Management of the Emergency (S/388 million or US$101.2 million)
• Health insurance for all through the SIS scheme (S/250 million or US$65.2 million)
• Investments in the health field (S/138 million or US$36 million)
Eight investment projects will be financed by regional and local governments, as well as the
Ministry of Health (Minsa), to improve the supply of health services.
II. Support to families (S/218 million or US$56.8 million)
• Temporary intervention of "Juntos Program" (S/48 million or US$12.5 million)
• Food support (S/20 million or US$5.2 million)
Midis will buy food for people in a situation of vulnerability due to the pandemic. The food will be delivered through municipalities, which will distribute 476,190 food baskets to 158,730 people.
• Continuity Grant (S/150 million or US$39.1 million)
The money will be transferred to the
Ministry of Education (Minedu) to implement the Continuity Grant program, aimed at students affected by COVID-19.
III. Economic recovery measures (S/405 million or US$/105.6 million)
• Continuation of Arranca Peru (S/347 million or US$90.5 million)
The continuation of the Arranca Peru (Get off the Ground, Peru) program in 2021 will be ensured through this transfer. It involves contracts signed by local governments, which include interventions to continue maintenance services for the infrastructure of neighborhood roads in 73 local governments, as well as investments in urban roads.
• Reallocation of the Fund for Economic Inclusion in Rural Areas (S/29 million or US$7.5 million)
The unspent balances of the Fund for Economic Inclusion in Rural Areas (Fonie) will be transferred to the
Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Sanitation (MVCS) to close coverage and quality gaps in selected basic services, generating an impact on the well-being and improvement of the quality of life in rural households.
IV. Employment generation measures (S/220 million or US$57.4 million)
• Creation of temporary employment through Trabaja Peru (S/220 million or US$57.4 million)
A total of 62,848 temporary jobs will be generated through immediate intervention activities in targeted districts nationwide.
Special support to health sector
On the other hand, Minister Mendoza stressed that the Government of President Francisco Sagasti has paid special attention to the health sector.
"So far this year, S/5 billion (about US$1.3 billion) has been transferred for it to fulfill its functions," he said.
(END) NDP/MDV/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/27/2021